Pleasurewood Hills' iconic Rattlesnake is to go into retirement after more than 30 years of entertaining thrill seekers at the theme park.

In a statement the Lowestoft park confirmed that the roller coaster is to be decommissioned and that the fibreglass model of the snake will be auctioned off to raise money for the East Anglian Children’s Hospice (EACH).

The ride was closed for refurbishment last year but the work was unable to happen as the parts needed are no longer manufactured or available.

Adam Noble, general manager of Pleasurewood Hills, said they had no choice to shut down one of the park’s most famous rides.

“The Rattlesnake has been a popular ride but after over 30 years, we have no other option than to decommission the ride, to make way for future development and improvements to the park which will be announced later this year.”

Halloween at Pleasurewood Hills. Picture Archant Library.

The ride was first introduced to the park in 1986 when it was themed and launched as the Ladybird Coaster.

Then in 1990 the ride was remodeled and renamed as Rattlesnake.

Rumours of the closure had gathered a lot of interest on social media with hundreds of people sharing a post on the Pleasurewood Maniacs Facebook page in support of saving the much-loved ride.

Martyn Branford, 32, who helps run the page, said: “As a kid Pleasurewood Hills was like Disneyland to me, and I remember the Rattlesnake being so intimidating with its loud roar, made even worse by all the tunnels it used to have.

“Obviously as an adult it’s now funny to look at back at things like that because it’s just a junior roller coaster but I’ll never forget the park maps from the mid 90s used to have drawings of people turning green and being sick on it.”

The model will be put up for auction on eBay during February and money raised will be donated to EACH who support and care for children and young people with life-threatening conditions.

Pleasurewood Hills we will keep customers updated on the auction via its Facebook page.

Mr Branford added: “I’d like to see them replace the Rattlesnake with a new version of the same ride.”